Abstract

In this Letter, we propose a method to perform 3D imaging with a simple and
robust imaging system only composed of a continuously self-imaging grating
(CSIG) and a matrix detector. With a CSIG, the intensity pattern generated by an
object source is periodic and propagation invariant, apart from a dilatation
factor that depends on the distance of the object. We demonstrate, theoretically
and experimentally, how to exploit this property to analyze a scene in three
dimensions. Such an imaging system can be used, for example, for tomographic
applications.